Ground broken on new library site

By ROB LARSON
Daily Press Staff Writer
It has begun.
With a special groundbreaking ceremony held at 10 a.m. this morning, the construction of the new Artesia Public Library is officially underway. Numerous Artesia dignitaries from both the public and private sector were in attendance. … For the rest of the story, subscribe in print and on the web.
Chase Foundation Director Richard Price, Mayor Phillip Burch, Artesia Chamber of Commerce Director and Co-Chair of the Artesia Public Library Building Committee Hayley Klein, Library Board Member and Co-Chair of the Artesia Public Library Building Committee Elizabeth Stevens, Artesia Public Library Director Pam Castle and Peyton Yates of the Artesia Library Foundation all approached the podium to say a few words for the memorable occasion.
The major theme for all the speakers was thanking the various stakeholders, like the Estelle Yates Foundation, Jimmy Mason, Mack Chase and the Chase Foundation, the City of Artesia, First American Bank, Myrtle Westall Foundation, Carl Everett, Concho Oil and Gas, Holy Frontier and Navajo Refining. According to Yates, the library will cost more than $12 million to fully complete, with half of the funds generously gleaned from private donations.